Box and Pulley or Atwood's Machine problems are common on the AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics 1 tests. In this video I solve the problem symbolically much like you would be asked to do on an AP Physics C or 1 test.

A common problem in physics is two boxes (or masses) suspended over a pulley. This is known as a simple Atwood's Machine. In these basic problems you are asked to find the acceleration of either block and or the tension in the rope between them.

This video demonstrates a real Atwood's Machine and and how to use systems of force equations to eliminate tension and solve for acceleration. This acceleration is then used to find the acceleration of either box or mass. This is all done in terms of the masses of each block and g.